Mefloquine was evaluated for the treatment of falciparum malaria in 75 patients in Porto Velho, Rondonia. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups and treated under a double blind protocol with a total dose of750,1000 or 1250 mg of mefloquine per person. There were no significant differences among the groups. By the thirdy day of treatment 76% of the patients were without fever and 68% were without parasites. The hemograms were normal except for an increase in the number of reticulocytes in 76% of the patients. The concentration of lactic dehydrogenase in serum was elevated in 28% of the patients and the concentration of alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 41 %. Mild side effects were encountered in 18% of the patients. None of the patients suffered a relapse of malaria. It is concluded that mefloquine is practical, efficacious and safe for the treatment of falciparum malaria.
Malaria; Mefloquine; Treatment